Lewiston, MN May 23, 2013 – PlastiCert, a 33 year veteran of innovative and quality plastic injection molding design and manufacturing services recently hosted the 9th Grade Career Readiness Class from Lewiston –Altura High School.
PlastiCert played host to a group of 9th graders learning about different careers and what is necessary to prepare for them. The Lewiston area is mostly an agricultural economy, so agriculture related support equipment and services are most familiar to them. Touring PlastiCert allowed them to see the workings of a manufacturing company. When queried, very few of the students knew anything about what careers are available other than just “making things.”
PlastiCert President & Owner Craig Porter started out orienting the students as to what types of careers are available in a manufacturing company. He stressed that while there are the obvious positions directly making plastic and composite parts and assemblies, there are a myriad of “in-direct” opportunities that support the manufacturing function. He talked about purchasing, production planning, shipping and receiving, inventory control, human resources, accounting, sales and marketing, and information technology opportunities. All of these positions he emphasized, perform their functions so that the people that make the product, have what they need. He then led the group of students on a tour of the injection molding floor as well as in the molding machine shop. Porter covered the principles behind plastic injection molding, the equipment used, the different plastics and composites, the molds and their design and build. They discussed the education and training utilized by the various personnel on the floor, and the types of customers and their products being manufactured. Porter explained how PlastiCert is a custom service molder, meaning they have no products of their own and everything they make is for the numerous OEM (original equipment manufacturer) customers to facilitate assembling their products. Therefore, PlastiCert is all about service and providing technical services in a discipline that their customer has chosen not to want to support directly, but is widely available in the supply chain. As such, service and the business relationship is what differentiates you from your competition. “None of them knew what we did coming into the tour”, commented Porter. “Their teacher Kevin Wood that had requested the tour, pointed out to them the diversity that PlastiCert adds to Lewiston. Diversity helps make it possible for people that want to stay in Lewiston have more options, which is one of the numerous reasons as to why we are located here.”
About PlastiCert
PlastiCert was founded in 1981 and is a privately held corporation with headquarters and manufacturing in Lewiston Minnesota. Initially a custom molder targeted at the electronics industry, today PlastiCert is a one-stop shop for OEMs and entrepreneurs in telecom, industrial, computer, avionics, medical markets and more. PlastiCert provides both mold development/build and custom plastic injection molding; including insert molding and over molding. Also available are a compliment of value add capabilities including decorating and electro-mechanical assembly. For more information on PlastiCert and the opportunities we present users of custom molded plastic components, visit www.plasticert.com or call 507-523-2300.